PALM SPRINGS -- The Loyola Marymount University softball team took a tough loss to No. 5 ranked Washington Huskies, 2-0, in their first day competing in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.
 
The Lions made a huge impact on defense tonight, holding the Huskies to just four hits and two runs in the game. Jenna Perez stood strong on the mound, compiling six strikeouts in the first three innings.
 
The team went quietly going mainly three and out in the first few innings. Andrea Gonzalez got the Lions started at the plate in the top of the fourth inning to give LMU their first hit of the game.
 
With Sydney Poole on third base, the Lions had a chance to score the first run of the game, but Gonzalez would be caught stealing second base.
 
The Huskies would then respond in the bottom of the fourth, scoring an RBI single to give them a 1-0 lead.
 
The Lions were not able to bounce back in the fifth inning to tie the score, giving the Huskies the added momentum to score another RBI single to increase the lead, 2-0.
 
The performance was still impressive for the Lions, as Jenna Perez continued to pitch lights out for the Lions despite falling behind.
 
The Lions fought in the sixth and seventh innings to come back but fell short. It was their best innings behind the plate as they gave 100 percent effort in a rally to upset the No. 5 ranked Huskies.
 
The Lions had three total hits, compared to the Huskies four. Andrea Gonzalez, Sierra Marshall, and Alyssa Daniell all went 1-3 at the plate, combining for the Lions three hits.  
 
Jenna Perez pitched 6.0 innings, allowing four hits and two runs, but produced 10 strikeouts total.
 
The Lions will be back on the field in Palm Springs tomorrow for Day 3 of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. They will face Baylor Bears at 2:30 p.m. PST.  and will return later tomorrow evening to play against Iowa State Cyclones at 7:00 p.m. PST.